Thanks to you, our donors and supporters, the 2016-2017 academic year Bridging Scholars have returned from a wonderful, challenging, exciting, nerve-wracking, and absolutely unforgettable year of study abroad in Japan.

Public-private partnerships, such as the Friendship Blossoms Initiative, strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance. The Bridging Foundation planted more than 3,000 American dogwood trees in the Tohoku region and throughout Japan in 2012-2015.

Bridging Scholar alumni gain skills that enhance employment, innovation, and diplomacy between the U.S. and Japan. Chris recently launched his product in Japan with SoftBank saying, "I was able to present in Japanese so big thank you to Bridging Foundation!".

The US-Japan Bridging Foundation awards scholarships to US undergraduate students to study for one semester or academic year in Japan. The Foundation aims to expand the opportunities for study abroad in Japan to help prepare America’s young people to assume future global leadership roles. Students must be accepted in a program in Japan, and provide the tuition. Bridging Scholars are chosen by a volunteer committee and awarded scholarships of up to $5,000 for the academic year, which provide for travel and daily cost-of-living expenses.

News / Blog

Temple University Japan (TUJ) hosted 35 current Bridging Scholars, alumni, supporters from TUJ and the U.S.-Japan Council TOMODACHI Initiative, and USJBF staff on November 9, 2017. Bridging Scholars enjoyed the opportunity to network–receiving mentoring from alumni, supporters, and staff– while … » READ MORE

Thanks to you, our donors and supporters, the 2016-2017 academic year Bridging Scholars have returned from a wonderful, challenging, exciting, nerve-wracking, and absolutely unforgettable year of study abroad in Japan. They gained Japanese language and culture fluency, personal and professional … » READ MORE

Thanks to you, donors and supporters, we are excited to announce that 89 U.S. college students will begin their studies in Japan in September. They will immerse themselves in Japanese language and culture, and academic classes while gaining global leadership … » READ MORE